EDUCATION SYSTEM IN SINGAPORE
Tuesday - 09/12/2025
The Ministry of Education (MOE) Singapore directly oversees public schools that receive government funding and also plays an advisory and regulatory role for private schools in Singapore.
For more details, see: Education in Singapore, Secondary, College, and University list
Below are key general information areas that Vietnamese students should pay attention to:
Levels of Study and Qualifications in Singapore
Like many other countries, Singapore offers the following education levels:
- Nursery & Kindergarten: ages 3 – 6
- Kindergarten: ages 4 – 6
- Primary & Secondary Education: A 13-year system similar to the UK, covering core subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, History, Geography, Science, Business, and Technology. Includes:
Primary 1 – 6: ages 6 – 12 → Primary School Certificate
Secondary 1 – 5: ages 12 – 16/17 → O-Level qualification
Junior College / Pre-University: ages 16 – 18/19 → A-Level qualification
- Diploma & Advanced Diploma: 1 – 2 years, various fields and age groups
- Bachelor’s Degree: 2 – 3 years, various fields and age groups
- Master’s Degree: 1 – 2 years, various fields and age groups
- Doctoral Degree (PhD): 3 – 5 years, various fields and age groups
Intake Periods
- Primary & Secondary: January each year, typically two semesters
- Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD: January, April, July, October for private institutions; July for public institutions
Admission Requirements
- Public Schools: Entrance examinations are required for all levels.
- Private Schools: Application-based admission, with general requirements:
English:
Primary & Diploma: IELTS 5.5 (PTE Academic 50 – 55)
Higher levels: IELTS 6.0 – 7.0 (PTE Academic 60 – 70)
Academic performance: Good academic standing (above-average grades)
Study Programs
- Public Schools: Follow the official curriculum of the Singapore Ministry of Education.
- Private Schools: Offer Singaporean programs or international programs from partner institutions (UK, Australia, US, etc.)
Study Costs
- Public Schools: Government-subsidized, making tuition relatively affordable. However, at the diploma and university levels, international students who receive government subsidies must work for the Singapore government or a Singapore-based company for 3 years after graduation.
Tuition Fees (Annual):
Primary & Secondary: S$6,000 – 12,000
Diploma: S$5,000 – 10,000
University: S$7,000 – 12,000
- Private Schools: Tuition varies depending on the institution.
Tuition Fees (Annual):
Primary & Secondary: S$22,000 – 40,000
Diploma: S$8,000 – 14,000
University: S$12,000 – 20,000
Related article
APPLYING TO STUDY IN FINLAND
Admission requirements for universities in Finland are not overly strict. Many institutions accept applications from students who are still in Grade 12 or have not yet received their high-school diploma….
FINNISH UNIVERSITIES
Finland has two types of higher-education institutions offering undergraduate and postgraduate studies: Research Universities; Universities of Applied Sciences (Polytechnics) – UAS. Both Research Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences offer…
FINLAND’S EDUCATION SYSTEM
The education system in Finland is completely free of charge for Finnish citizens and is divided into the following levels: Early childhood education and care (non-compulsory): for children aged 0-5;…
WHY CHOOSE TO STUDY IN FINLAND
Finland is one of the countries with the best education systems in Europe and in the world. According to statistics in 2016, the number of international students in Finland was…
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT FINLAND
Some key information: Official name: Republic of Finland Government: Parliamentary republic Capital: Helsinki Official languages: Finnish, Swedish Area: 338,424 km² Estimated population (2017): 5,506,312 Time zone: UTC+2; summer time: EEST…
EMPLOYMENT AND IMMIGRATION IN POLAND
Part-time work during studies: As of 1 May 2015, full-time students, regardless of whether they hold a temporary residence permit or a visa (study permit), are allowed to work in…
